At the Pier by the Harbor in Ocean Springs

Today, we went to Aunt Jenny's Restaurant to celebrate the birthday of my sister-in-law. Hubby and I went to this place about 4 years ago and we thought the food was not that great. Today made no difference. Still, we enjoyed the gathering because we wanted to be around on her birthday. After dinner, we went to the pier by the Harbor in Ocean Springs at the Front Beach and just hang out by the pier. Check out the view that I took. More to publish soon ... so, I will see you around right?

Walking on the Bay Bridge : Biloxi and Ocean Springs

I don't know how to start really. When we sold the house in the Space Coast area in Florida, we were too busy packing, moving, follow up with the papers, moving to another state, looking for a house, buying a house, moving our things from one storage to another storage, moving to our new house, unpacking, arranging, selling one of our condo property, fly back to Florida, back to Mississippi, party for my birthday, surprise visit from Spain and now ... here I am, ready to get back on track. Wheww! It was a whirlwind huh? I took a lot of pictures since May and I will be sharing them in this blog.

The first time we drove on the Bay Bridge heading to Palace Casino Resort in Biloxi, Mississippi, I said to my husband, "I didn't know how I missed the gulf coast". How pretty this place is. That's the resort and we stayed there for a week since we were still waiting for the closing of the house we bought.

The photo above was taken at the Front Beach in Ocean Springs Mississippi. The building at the far end is the Golden Nugget Casino formerly, the Isle Casino. Since we were back here in May, I walked on the bridge and rode a bicycle on that long bay bridge. Oh my goodness, I did it! I was so happy and felt accomplished! Now, who wouldn't fell in love on this view everyday of their lives? I would!

One evening right before sunset, a cousin and I went to walk by the beach and on the bridge from Ocean Springs to Biloxi (one city to the other city). We started at 6PM and hubby picked us up at 8PM in Golden Nugget at the end of the bridge. I thought I couldn't do it you know. It was a long ways. The view from the bay bridge was fantastic and breathtaking so; it has kept me going to the end. There were sailboats and shrimp boats as well as occasional display of dolphins swimming visibly by the bay. It was a glorious evening and I will be walking/running on the bridge again sometime.

While walking on the beach, cousin and I played on the sand. We put a mark on the sand with our foot. My footprint is smaller than her even though I am so much older than her. We spent probably almost an hour by the beach before we decided to walk on the bridge.

While on the Front Beach, I snap a lot of pictures.

Pictures of the sky, sailboats, people, dogs, shrimp boats, and anything interesting on the sand.

Here she is making a heart shape figure.

As the sun sets on the horizon, we were halfway walking on the bridge. It was breezy and a nice evening. I had fun taking pictures and enjoying the glorious display of nature.

Thanks for reading my post. See you next time.

Ocean Springs Mississippi #MardiGras

Some of you who are readers of this blog were asking me to post more photos about #MardiGras. I have all the photos stored in 3 PC's so; I am posting randomly. These photos were taken in Ocean Springs , Mississippi and if my memory is right, this is the Elk Mardi Gras. There are two parades in Ocean Springs that I can remember, one in the morning and the other, at night time. The town supported both parades in fact; both events were crowded.

Mardi Gras is part of the tradition in the South; Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana. Other's call this event, Fat Tuesday and Mardi Gras season culminates on the day before Ash Wednesday. Mardi Gras is a big celebration of dancing, fun, eating lavishly before fasting and religious obligations. Before Lent season begins, there are so many Mardi Gras parades all over these places.

Mardi Gras is fun because families and friends gather around for barbecue and have a good time. If you never been to a Mardi Gras parade, you should visit New Orleans. If you love big crowd, Mardi Gras in New Orleans is the best! Don't stay drunk at night in French Quarter okay?

I missed Mardi Gras events in Mississippi for two consecutive years now. Hopefully next year, we will be there! We will be moving to Mississippi any day now and we are just waiting for the final sale of our home. Hubby and I are excited! Thanks for visiting this blog always. Happy Fat Tuesday y'all!

An Awesome View of the Gulf

My husband won't stay at home when I was sleeping. I work at night and sleep most of the time on day time. My father-in-law and him would go out buying stuffs at Wal-Mart, drive down the Front and East Beach, and if there were garden and boat shows, they would go. One time, I woke up for lunch and they were gone somewhere. When they arrived few minutes later, they were excited telling me that they bought a pontoon boat, LOL. Anyway, the photo below was taken at the end part of Front Beach in Ocean Springs Mississippi. I was at the top floor (restaurant) taking this picture. What an awesome view huh?

By Ocean Springs in Mississippi

This was taken by the beach in Ocean Springs Mississippi. I love taking pictures of the sky, isn't it obvious by now, LOL? This place has the Front Beach and the East Beach. Hubby and I always hang out at the Front Beach. When I was working, hubby and his cousin would go fishing and crabbing. One time, hubby caught a dozen of blue crab and they were huge. Yep, hubby cook them and he ate them all LOL.

Mardi Gras Day Parade in Ocean Springs

There is a big parade which is scheduled in Biloxi today. Hubby and I thought Mardi Gras this year would start this week and onward but, it started early about last week of January. We did plan to visit Mississippi for Mardi Gras and see the parades in Ocean Springs (day/night), D'Iberville, Past Christian and Biloxi. Before we could book a trip, we found out that some of the parades were over. We missed the Mardi Gras in Mississippi this year. Oh well, maybe next year right?

Here are some old photos that I took when we live in Mississippi. My sister-in-law and other relatives lived nearby Porter and Jackson Avenue so; all of us would watch the parade along these streets. Shown in the picture above is a group called Shriners in their Model T miniature cars. Cute huh? Looking great grandpa :-)

Mardi Gras is a very interesting parade. There is always a surprise like the photo above.

We watch the parade at Porter Avenue. The building that you see above is Bradford O'Keefe Funeral Home. My husband said, originally this building is an ancestral home of the O'Keefe family and they sold it to a guy named William 'Willy' Frederic Dale. He turned it into a restaurant and bar then, towards the end of his life he sold it back to the O'Keefe. Presently, this building is an elegant funeral home in the area.

Clowns afre always present in Mardi Gras parades.

Every time there is a parade, some folks find this event the best season on their business.

Most schools participated as well.

The well-applauded participants in the Mardi Gras parade are usually the police officers, firemen and military either active and retired men in uniform.

Cheering crowd!

A representative of every organization is present as well.

Here comes the firemen and gorgeous firetruck.

Shown above is a float with little krewe members in costumes throwing some beads and trinkets.

Here is another Mardi Gras float with Krewe members throwing strings of beads, doubloons, cups, frisbees and other trinkets. From the floats, they throw some of those interesting trinkets, plastic toys and cups to the spectators lining on the streets of Porter Avenue. These goodies consist of colorful necklaces, bracelets, beads and they also throw coins called doubloons, which are stamped with krewes' logos, parade themes and the year. Have you been to a Mardi Gras before? You should try it sometime. You will like it for sure. Happy Fat Tuesday everyone! Thanks for stopping by in my blog today. See you again.

D'Iberville Mardi Gras and Beads

Few years ago, I never knew that Mardi Gras parade would be like "catching beads" activity and it's from beginning to end. It was awkward to shout "throw me some beads" and raising two hands ready to catch them. But, everyone is doing it and I look like a fool standing there observing and watching the crowd fought hard to catch the beads.To enjoy the Mardi Gras celebration, I need to go with the flow of the crowd's thrilling activity. I am improving after three years of being around the Mardi Gras celebration in Mississippi and Louisiana. Hubby and I goes to one city to another city in two states. I love the Mardi Gras in New Orleans, D'Iberville, Biloxi and night parade in Ocean Springs.Well, here's the picture of my family down below. I was up on the terrace of a relative's business establishment.

My Father-in-law is a Good Man

My father-in-law served in the Air Force for many years and retired as a Major. My husband and I lived with him for 18 months in Mississippi and we sure had wonderful times with him. We dine out almost everyday, he loves to play the slot machines in the casino, we both love gardening, and we play the Wii Game up to 3 AM, LOL! At 90 years old, he masters the Wii- bowling and beat me good!We missed him dearly. May God bless his soul.

The Saint Alphonsus Fall Festival

One of my long time friend was surprised when he knew that I live in Mississippi. Well, he lives in a fast-paced city in the US compared to Mississippi, this place is a heavily forested state in the US. But, I am so proud that I lived in Mississippi for 18 months in fact, I got my first State ID in this state. Full of charm, that's how I describe Ocean Springs Mississippi. The people here are family-oriented and friendly, the bread winner works hard but, when there are festivities, the community is very supportive.On the last quarter of each year, this town celebrates the Alphonsus Fall Festival. This is a school activity but, I noticed that the whole community are involved. There were games, booths, exhibits and delicious food displays. The kids together with their parents and guardians were enjoying this festival.Hubby and I enjoyed the food and just watched the kids play their group games. Some of them did the horseback riding, bowling and wall climbing.Saint Alphonsus School is the Alma Mater of my husband in his elementary years. This school is centered around God and focused on developing children with the following: strong moral character, outstanding academic performance, and enhanced skills necessary for success in higher education and life.Their mission is to provide a Catholic elementary school that is a living Christian community. It also provides a broad competitive curriculum that challenge the children in academic and spiritual aspects through self-discipline, service to God and community.This was an interesting weekend because right after the Saint Alphonsus Fall Festival, across the street was the Peter Anderson Festival displaying the arts and crafts of local artists. It was crowded and people are buying stuffs. Most of the people who came did not only look around but, really bought something for their personal collections. Ocean Springs is fun and interesting city especially when there is a festival like this.And though it's a small town, I like their activities. Oh if you like to play the casino, you just have to drive the Bay Bridge and more than 7 casinos are there waiting for you. If you visit the coast, do not forget to drop by at Ocean Springs.

The Isle Hotel in Biloxi Mississippi

I took most of these pictures from the Front Beach of Ocean Springs, Mississippi. When we lived there for 18 months, the Front Beach is our hang-out place. We love driving down here and have a picnic at Fort Maurepas Park. When I was working, my husband and his cousin would go fishing in this area. The land across Front Beach area is the city of Biloxi and the huge building that you see here is the ISLE hotel and casino.The Isle hotel and casino is one of our favorites mainly for the ambiance and food trip. Not only that, this is the favorite casino of my father-in-law where his luck in this casino is unbelievable! Last September, we stayed in one of the rooms on this side facing the bridge that connects Ocean Springs and Biloxi! It was an awesome view!The picture below was taken while we were having a picnic at Fort Maurepas. The arrow shows the Isle Hotel and Casino across the waters. It's huge with 710 hotel rooms that includes 200 suite rooms.The Front Beach is beautiful. If you are planning to visit for the Mardi Gras parade, check out the Isle Hotel and Casino. You will have a good day ahead once you see the beautiful sight of the Gulf view. The sunrise and the sunsets in this place is truly spectacular and enchanting.From the Isle Hotel and Casino, you should check out the Front Beach in Ocean Springs. You will appreciate your awesome stay in the hotel if you visit this place and look at the hotel from this location.You should book early especially when you are visiting for Mardi Gras Season, Christmas Holidays, New Year, Valentines Day, Halloween, Saint Patricks Day, and 4th July. It will be sold out before you knew it! Speaking of Mardi Gras, we will be going there and we will be staying at the ISLE HOTEL AND CASINO. I will see you there, right? Thanks for reading.

Mardi Gras in Ocean Springs is Always Fun

I was checking on some pictures in the folder of my working pc and saw these Mardi Gras photos. I took these photos during a Mardi Gras parade in Ocean Springs, Mississippi in the Government Street. This was a chilly and cold season and though everyone was bundling up, the wind will really get into your bones.
There are so many beads they gave with awesome designs in fact, some of us got collectible beads. One of my cousins told me that when she comes back from her travels, she will provide floats and all of us will participate in giving out beads, sort of thanksgiving for the family. I am looking forward for that event. I remember the first time I went to a Mardi Gras parade. I was hesitant to bring a bag but, when I was there, everyone brought more than one bag for the beads.It feels funny that I was just standing there watching the fun atmosphere but, hesitant to raise my arms asking for beads. When I looked around, everyone was cheering and giving signals to throw 'em some beads. The more you cheered at them, the more they love to give nicer beads.There were two Mardi Gras parade in Ocean Springs that time, one in the morning and the other parade took place in the evening. The evening parade was fun but, the chilly atmosphere was even more brutal but, we enjoyed it. Most of us brought our snuggie even if we already bundled up. This year we will be heading to Mississippi and we will be witnessing the Mardi Gras parade in Biloxi, Ocean Springs and D'Iberville.